A/N) Thank you for all the comments for the last chapter! This chapter is shorter than the rest but each chapter should average at least 4000 words.
For now we move four years ahead...
Twisting Time
Chapter Nine
In the four years since Sirius had come back from the future life in the wizarding world had gone on. For the first six months following Voldemort's defeat various trials were held for all accused Death Eaters and most were sent to Azkaban though some, like Lucius Malfoy, claimed he was under the Imperius Curse. A nice donation to the Ministry secured his freedom.
Out of all the Death Eaters tried for their crimes, the only trial Sirius made the effort to attend was Pettigrew's where his former friend had tried to claim he was under the Imperius Curse however Sirius' evidence against him sealed his fate. Pettigrew was sentenced to Azkaban for life, his cell charmed with anti-animagus wards to prevent him from transforming.
Sirius had set up home in a Muggle suburb in Oxford, choosing to live away from the magical world to keep his privacy. He reasoned by living in a Muggle neighbourhood he would be able to protect himself better. His home was heavily warded and they had been reinforced by both Lily Potter and Albus Dumbledore.
Only a select number of individuals knew where the hero of the Wuzarding World resided and they only numbered in single figures: James, Lily, Remus, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Amelia Bones. Sirius knew at least one person from the Ministry needed to know where he lived, especially since he had taken residence in a Muggle area. He didn't want to be hauled up in front of the Wizengamot for using magic around Muggles therefore it was necessary for the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to know.
Sirius liked living in Oxford. It was a bustling Muggle city and he enjoyed his many walks through the busy streets, studying the history and the architecture. He rarely visited London though on the occasions he had to visit Diagon Alley he had always been waylaid by the press and young children. Remus was usually helpful in that regard as he was quite happy to go to Diagon Alley for Sirius but he wasn't always around, despite being in Sirius' continual employ.
His hope to learn more about Voldemort's history hadn't panned out well. Sirius was certain dark magic had been used to ensure the survival of Voldemort's spirit. They had looked into both old potion and charm rituals and had numbered down to a select few rituals he could have used to ensure longevity of his spirit upon the loss of his body. From Dumbledore they had gathered some details on Voldemort's childhood. They knew he had lived in a Muggle Orphanage and the name of his mother. Dumbledore had admitted his knowledge of Voldemort's history was incomplete though he was working on obtaining memories from people who had known him. In the years following their conversation Dumbledore had yet to reveal more though through Remus' research, Sirius had uncovered a lot more about Tom Marvolo Riddle. He had decided to keep it to himself in the hope the Headmaster would reveal more to him.
Still, there hadn't been a sign of Voldemort in the years since his defeat though Dumbledore's information put him as hiding in the forests of Albania. For now they could not confront him, not until they knew the secrets as to why he had survived.
Sunday 3rd November 1985
It was the day of his twenty-sixth birthday that Sirius received a surprising letter, delivered to him by a Hogwart's owl. Wanting to keep his privacy, Sirius had ensured only select people could send him letters but correspondence from others had to first be checked by his safe-guards. Owls could easily be tracked which was why Sirius had decided to use both James and Dumbledore to check letters from people he had allowed to pass through his wards. This method enabled him to keep his location secret as well.
The letter had been diverted through Hogwarts and checked by Dumbledore before being directly sent to him from the school. The letter was thick and sealed by the Black family crest, with the motto stamped across the back of the envelope. Sirius pulled a face as he looked at it. It was obviously safe enough to open.
"Better get this over with," he sighed.
Slitting the envelope open and unfolding the parchment, Sirius ran his eyes over the elegant writing, recognising it as belonging to his grandfather, Arcturus Black, who was currently the Head of the House of Black. The letter was simple and to the point.
Sirius,
It has been many years since I last saw you. In that time you have become a hero to our world. You are influential and well-known, placed to make a difference.
Your mother died three weeks ago. She remained displeased and disappointed in you. Her Will leaves everything to me however I have chosen to go against her wishes and grant you the right to inherit.
Details of your inheritance are included separately.
When I pass on you will become the Head of the House of Black.
Despite our differing political opinions, you are a worthy heir. Perhaps it is not too late for us to repair our relationship that broke so long ago when you left our family.
Written by the Hand
Of
Lord Arcturus Black,
Order of Merlin First Class
Sirius swallowed. He wasn't sure what to think. His mother was dead, not that he cared about her considering how she had treated as he'd been growing up. It was difficult to love a mother who had beaten her child to near-death. He'd been lucky to survive and escape that night.
Despite his mother's best efforts, Sirius remained the heir. He'd inherited in the old timeline yet Sirius had never found out how or why. By the time he had escaped from Azkaban he had been the only surviving Black from the direct line. Currently in this new time line, three senior members of the Black family still lived: his grandfather on his father's side and head of the house, Arcturus, followed by his grandfather on his mother's side, Pollux and his great aunt Cassiopeia.
Sirius didn't want to be the heir. He'd left his family years ago. It would be better to let the Black name die. He certainly didn't want to become a Lord when his grandfather died. He could always refuse the title.
He pulled put another piece of parchment, unfolding it and running his eyes over the elegant, scripted writing.
I, Arcturus Cygnus Black, hereby proclaim Sirius Orion Black, born on the 3rd November 1959, my heir.
I override the Will of Walburga Black and leave to one Sirius Orion Black:
The Ancient and Noble House at 12 Grimmauld Place
Kreacher, the family house elf
The vaults and gold belonging to Orion Phineas Black and Walburga Irma Black
All of the above declarations will be assigned to you from midnight on your twenty-sixth birthday.
The title of Lord Black will be yours on the occasion of my death.
A.C Black
"Urgh! Not the greatest birthday gift grandfather could have given." Sirius rolled his eyes. At least this time he didn't have to go back to Grimmauld Place and hide there. Being cooped up in the place for a year without being allowed outside had driven him mad and ultimately fuelled his desire to go and rescue Harry at the Department of Mysteries. But it was his own impulsive actions that had given him this second chance to set things right.
He let out a low frustrated growl as he glanced back at the letter.
Perhaps it is not too late for us to repair our relationship that broke so long ago when you left our family.
His grandfather was offering a truce, a chance to get to know one another.
Sirius bit his lip.
He cursed under his breath. "I'll deal with this tomorrow after my birthday."
Later that day he flooed over to the Potter's for a birthday dinner, dutifully cooked by Lily. Sirius' skills in the kitchen were adequate but Lily was stunning. It was a result that meant James never had to learn how to cook. Lily always teased him, asking her devoted husband if she wasn't here what James would do. He said he would rely on Sirius' cooking as he was the next best thing.
"Happy Birthday, mate," grinned James, clapping his hand over Sirius' shoulder. "One year older. How does it feel?"
"I feel old," he responded. After all he had lived a longer life than James. He had fallen through the Veil aged thirty-six… His soul, his consciousness that had travelled back was really forty. Not that his friends knew it. He had yet to tell them of his true self but Sirius knew he wouldn't. Sometimes he caught Lily watching him when he was with Harry. Some of the things he had said to Harry as a baby she had observed and he wondered if she knew something. After all she had noticed he was different and Lily had proven herself quite adept at recognising magical talent and sensing it. She hadn't mentioned anything since that day yet he felt certain she had some inkling of him.
Harry was a happy child. He was now five and a half years old and he was the splitting image of his father though he had inherited his mother's temperament but he was prone to mischief making if provoked. There was a mini-Marauder in him waiting to get free. Their bond had grown over the years and Sirius felt it more often. It seemed to be tied to their emotions. If one was feeling scared or happy the other would feel it. Sirius knew Harry hardly felt anything from him but Harry's emotions came to him quite frequently. It was a joy to know the child he loved so much was very happy; it was in stark contrast to his Harry from the old timeline.
Harry was an only child. James and Lily did want more children. Admittedly they were worried Voldemort would return and didn't want to endanger anymore children if Harry remained a target. It was a conscious decision by them both to protect Harry. Dumbledore had told them Voldemort would one day return. They had chosen to wait until he was gone before having more. It saddened Sirius that Harry didn't have a younger sibling.
His godson had plenty of friends. His best friend was Neville Longbottom, who was a day older than Harry. Frank and Alice Longbottom were Aurors, were a few years older than James and Lily, had befriended the Potters over their mutual endangerment of their sons. Harry and Neville saw one another twice a week, once at Harry's home and the other at Neville's. Occasionally they met up with the Weasley family who James had befriended through working at the Ministry.
In the years since Voldemort's defeat James and Lily had discussed career prospects with James choosing to go into the Ministry and work with Muggle artefacts with Arthur Weasley. Lily, on the other hand, was a part-time Charm worker, researching for new spells, something which she excelled at. She was also a freelance Potion-maker, working with her old friend Severus Snape, who'd she later learned had defected to the Order of the Phoenix close to the end of the war. When she had discovered Dumbledore had vouched for him, Lily had sought him out.
Sirius had not known why Snape had joined Dumbledore's side and Lily had never revealed why to him however he suspected James knew. The animosity between the two former wizards had dwindled though Snape only visited when James wasn't around.
A small hand tugged at his robes and he knelt down to Harry's height, running a hand through the messy hair that couldn't be tamed. He grinned brightly at the boy. "Hey."
Harry's mouth widened and he laughed. "Happy Birthday!"
The little boy hugged him.
"Do you want your present?" Green eyes blinked up at him.
"I sure do!" grinned Sirius.
Harry took Sirius by the hand and pulled him into the living room. James was already sitting on the chair, head leaning back against the edge.
"Sirius wants his present now!" Harry boldly stated.
James chuckled. "Not until after dinner. Only children can open presents before dinner."
"But Sirius is a big child." Harry pouted, pushing his lower lip out.
James roared with laughter.
"Looks like my godson knows me too well," muttered Sirius.
"Can Sirius please have his present?" begged Harry.
"Harry!" Lily called from the kitchen. "Would you like to lick the bowl of mixture?"
Harry's face brightened considerably. "You can have your present later, Sirius. I have bowl licking to do." The boy then sped off to the kitchen.
"You know Lily did that deliberately don't you? To stop me saying yes?" asked James.
"You can't say no to him can you?" Sirius shook his head in amusement.
"How can I? Just look at his adorable face!" James defended himself.
Sirius laughed but then sobered up, his expression changing from a happy one to a more sombre one.
"Why so serious?"
"I'm always Sirius," he immediately quipped back.
James groaned. "You had to do that, didn't you?"
Sirius winked. "Always."
"That joke was old the day I met you," sighed James. "Just answer my question."
"I received a letter from my grandfather today. He's made me his heir even though my mother left me nothing… He's overruled her," he explained as he sat down beside his best friend. "He'd like to meet with me."
"Are you going to?"
Sirius shrugged. He didn't really want to. "I think I'm going to have to. No matter how much I loathe my family, turning my back on them when they are reaching out to me isn't the smartest thing to do. I now own Grimmauld Place and our library is filled with old books and my grandfather's library is huge as well. I just think having access to all this stuff would help Remus and I."
James did know what Sirius and Remus were doing. He thought it was a good idea himself, had even offered to help but Sirius had turned him down.
"You don't think it could be a trap? To get revenge on you?" enquired James.
Sirius shook his head. His longer hair fell over his shoulders. He'd let his hair grow slightly past his shoulders in the last few years. "No. I think they are interested in seeing the Black name rise again. They can only do it through me and the influence I hold therefore I am their only chance to restore our house to its former glory."
James grimaced. "But they know you would never follow their policies."
Sirius shrugged. "I think my grandfather is intelligent enough that supporting the dark arts at this time isn't a good political move. Its common knowledge my family disowned me for my views… When the press tried to contact my mother after I defeated Voldemort do you know what she did?"
James shook his head. "No…"
"She yelled obscenities at them. Insulted me and anyone without any Pure-blood in them. My grandfather made a public apology on her behalf. He is well aware of the way of the political spectrum and will do anything he can to ensure the Black family retains its power," explained Sirius. "But I have an idea on how to judge whether it is worth it to return to the Black family fold."
James' gaze hardened. "This involves Lily and Harry doesn't it?"
Sirius grinned. "You guessed it, Prongs."
James groaned. "I'm not going to like this."
"Only way I can think of to test my grandfather's loyalty to me. I'm not going to meet him at his place just in case it is a trap and I'm not going to give him my location either. So we need a mutual location," explained Sirius.
James nodded. "Ok. You can use my aunt and uncle's old place. It hasn't been used in years." He narrowed his gaze. "No way am I letting your grandfather into my home even if it is public knowledge we live in Godric's Hollow."
Sirius chuckled. "I can understand that."
"And you want Harry and Lily there to see how he reacts to being around those of 'impure' blood," continued James, guessing Sirius' plan.
"Exactly."
James ran a hand through his messy black hair. "Fine. If Lily is happy to be involved then I give you my permission."
Sirius laughed. "Your permission? I don't think you can prevent Lily from doing anything."
James frowned. "Maybe not but Harry is my son."
"Harry will be fine," said Sirius. "I'm only willing to reconnect with my family because of the information I may collect out of it. If anyone has anything on Voldemort than the Blacks will. I wouldn't do this with my mother still alive." He recognised now that perhaps throwing everything out of Grimmauld Place had perhaps been a silly course to go on. What if there had been something there that could help him with Voldemort? Going through Grimmauld Place without the mentality of wanting to get rid of everything would give him the opportunity to reassess everything in his childhood home.
"I hope you do find something to bring Voldemort down. I hate he's still out there. What if he targets Harry again?" James was worried, like any parent would be.
Sirius reached forward and clapped James on the shoulder. "The only danger Harry is in, is his connection to me. It would be because of me my godson would be sought out. I hope Voldemort will be too concentrated on me to even consider Harry as a threat."
"I don't want either of you in danger," sighed James.
Sirius narrowed his gaze. "Better me than Harry," he said as he remembered a green-eyed child from another life.
A few days later, Lily and Harry met Sirius at the second property James had inherited from his aunt and uncle. It was a three-story house in the middle of Norfolk, near the marshes, in a secluded area away from Muggles. James and Lily had nearly decided to move there after the war but had decided to remain in Godric's Hollow amongst a wizarding community.
Sirius and Remus had spent the last few days cleaning the house up. He had sent a reply to his grandfather, agreeing to meet at the location of Sirius' choosing. His grandfather had replied, confirming the terms of agreement.
Lily approached Sirius as he waited for his grandfather to arrive. He had been told he would Apparate to the property boundaries. "Do you want me to stay with you?"
Sirius shook his head. "No. Go inside and stay with Harry. I only want to test him on how he reacts to you. I needed a way to test him and you and Harry are perfect."
"I know James hates the way we are being used like this," said Lily biting her lip, "but I can see why you want to use us. We stand for everything your family hates."
Sirius grinned. "If they really want me to inherit, finding out if they accept anyone who is not of Pure-blood origin is the best way to go about it. I'm the only one who has a chance of turning the Black name around."
Lily smiled sadly. "I think you already did when you changed everything."
Sirius turned his head quickly in Lily's direction. "What do you mean?"
"Well…" she hesitated. "It was supposed to be Harry, wasn't it? Voldemort chose Harry over Neville. He hunted James and I to get to Harry… You stopped him and changed everything."
Sirius swallowed. Why did he have the feeling Lily knew? "I didn't intend for things to happen the way they did." He hadn't expected to survive. Even four years later, Sirius still marvelled how he had lived when he should have died.
"No, you didn't… But you gave Harry a normal childhood and for that I am grateful." Lily briefly gave him a hug before turning and going back inside the house. "And I don't hate you for it," she added over her shoulder.
Sirius breathed a deep sigh of relief but panic was flooding him. He couldn't help believing Lily had guessed who he really was. Out of anyone in their group she would figure it out and wait for him to tell them the truth. But he wouldn't. She may not hate him but James certainly would.
A loud CRACK echoed through the air and an elderly man appeared in front of him, a few metres away. He wore black robes with the Black Family crest embodied into them. His sharp features were lined with wrinkles and his nose was large for his face. His eyes were the same shade as Sirius'. Sirius had inherited the strong Black features from his father who in turn had got them from his own father. The chiselled jaw as the beginnings of a beard and his grandfather's hair had greyed long ago.
Sirius steeled his jaw and watched as his grandfather approached.
"Sirius," the man's voice was croaky and gravelly. He held out a hand.
Sirius shook it, not wanting to be impolite. "Grandfather. My condolences to the loss of your Daughter-in-law."
"Well said, however your mother was a disappointment to me in later years. I had hoped with the loss of Orion and Regulus she would try to reach out to you. She refused to heed to my advice."
Sirius snorted. "My mother was never right in the head. Would you like to come in?"
"Certainly," Arcturus Black agreed.
Sirius led the way inside. Lily and Harry were waiting in the living room. He led Arcturus down the hallway and turned right before moving into the lounge. Lily was sitting on the floor playing with Harry.
As Arcturus stopped as he entered, his eyes falling upon the witch and child. His lips twitched and he sought out his grandson. Sirius watched his grandfather carefully.
"It's Lily Potter, isn't it?" Arcturus broke the silence.
Lily rose from the floor and walked forward, extending her hand, just as Sirius had told her to do. "Arcturus Black. Welcome."
Without hesitation Arcturus took Lily's offered hand and shook it.
Sirius' eyebrows rose. In all his time, Arcturus Black had never shaken the hand of a Muggle-born witch. He had despised them.
"Surprised, Sirius?" his grandfather smiled.
"A bit," he admitted.
"And the little boy must be the Potter heir?"
Lily nodded. "He is. Harry James Potter."
"I'm sure he will make a fantastic wizard when he grows up," praised Arcturus. The Black statesman moved to sit and Sirius placed himself opposite while Lily returned to Harry on the floor. "I have learned over the years that perhaps my views were wrong. Since Regulus' unfortunate passing. After you ran away, Sirius, I had a lot of contact with Regulus. It was my job to train him as heir. It was with me that Regulus began to show sympathy to Muggle-borns and Muggles. He asked me why we felt the need to persecute those different to us… I told him because it was taught to us when we were young, therefore our beliefs are right. Yet Regulus raised an important question with me."
"What was it?" asked Sirius.
"Why didn't we decide for ourselves? Why do we stick to the same belief? Do we not have the right to look at every opinion?" Arcturus Black said.
Sirius had a feeling he knew where this was going. "And?"
"We researched together and I found my opinion began to change. Muggle-borns are just the same as us. Magic can live in Muggles. If witches can produce non-magical children into a Pure-blood family that has been Pure for centuries with no hint of Muggle relations, then surely Muggles can produce magical folk? And then Regulus sent me a letter and… he died. I am no longer for blood purity as I once was. I would still prefer it but if we keep breeding amongst ourselves we will die out. The Wizarding World is changing. And the Black family needs to go with it. And you are the one who can lead our House and restore it to its former glory."
Sirius frowned, crossing his right leg over his left. "How did Regulus die?"
His grandfather's eyes saddened. "I don't know how. His body was never found. Only that his date of death appeared on the tapestry. He had only left Hogwarts a few months beforehand." Arcturus bowed his head. "His letter…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled bit of parchment.
Sirius reached for his grandfather's shaking hand and took the letter, exchanging a quick glance with Lily before rolling it open and reading his brother's familiar scrawl.
Grandfather,
In the months since I left Hogwarts I have come to realise being a Death Eater isn't what I want to be. If I'd known what the Dark Lord was capable of I would never have joined him. He says he is for blood purity, to cleanse our world… But everything I've learned with you over the last few months has turned everything on its head.
Grandfather, the Dark Lord is immortal. I intend to destroy that which makes him immortal so that one day he can be defeated.
Tell Sirius he was right about me.
Regulus Arcturus Black
Sirius blinked a few times as he tried to compose himself. His eyes ran over the words again, focusing on the cryptic message his brother had left. "Did Regulus succeed?"
"I do not know. I like to assume he did but it is what killed him in the end," replied Arcturus quietly. "I never told your mother this. If she had known both her sons had turned from the dark side…"
Sirius gripped the letter. "Can I keep this?" The letter did confirm Voldemort was immortal. Therefore there was something out there that kept him alive. He suspected Regulus had failed since Voldemort had survived. "If Regulus succeeded with his mission, whatever he did didn't stop Voldemort from remaining immortal. He still is. He survived four years ago."
"I suspected as much myself. The reason I wanted to give you your inheritance now is because I know you will face him again. You defeated him and I'd rather my last remaining grandson survived."
Sirius bit his lip. He should accept yet it was difficult to believe his grandfather had changed. "You would still prefer blood purity, wouldn't you?" He needed absolute clarity on that particular issue.
Arcturus hesitated. "I would however if we do not expand we will die out. I may be old, Sirius, but I am not beyond accepting new ideas, new beliefs. If I must admit when you first started to show signs of rebellion, going against the family creed, I did start to wonder then but never pursued it."
Sirius turned to Lily. "What do you think, Lils?"
"I think he's genuine." Lily had spent the entire conversation judging Arcturus Black. She was very good at reading people. It was a skill she had developed long ago. "I think he'd be able to help you… if you let him."
"Is this why you brought Lily Potter here?" asked Arcturus.
"I brought her here to test you. To test your reaction towards a woman who you would have once despised and refused to touch. Yet you didn't hesitate to shake her hand. Many Pure-bloods wouldn't sully themselves with that motion. You did it without thinking, without that look of disgust on your face," explained Sirius.
"Does that mean you will officially be the Black heir again?" Arcturus leaned forward in his seat watching Sirius with those old eyes of his.
Sirius didn't hesitate to answer. He had seen what he had wanted to witness. "Yes. Yes, I will."
To be continued...
Please let me know what you think!
I want to do something different from other time-travel stories which is why I've decided to cover this particular period of time.
I think Sirius would choose to live in a Muggle city and I don't want it to be predictable he is in London so went for Oxford instead. I also believe his location would be kept secret apart from those who needed to know and I assume at least one person in the Ministry of Magic would need to be aware of where he was living.
Sirius hasn't found out much about Voldemort's past in the four years since Voldemort's defeat either so he hasn't really made much progress.
The issue with the Black family... I researched into this before deciding to include this: Sirius' mother hated him and I can only think the reason Sirius inherited in canon was because of his grandfather, Arcturus, who died in 1991, before Sirius escaped from Azkaban. Looking at lines of succession, Arcturus would have been the Head of the House of Black, in which upon his death Sirius would have inherited. I can only assume Arcturus left everything to Sirius, overriding his daughter-in-law's wishes. We do not know much about the Black Family, other than that they were a dark family, but Arcturus must have had some Pro-Muggle leanings for him to leave everything to the blood-traitor of the family, even if he was locked up in Azkaban. I decided to throw in the twist with Regulus as well... So I am trying something different with the Black Family and I hope it is believable. If not... please give it a chance!
I adore young Harry and yes, Neville is his best friend. I think Frank and Alice are a few years older than James and Lily but would have bonded over the threat to their children.
Lily and Snape... I think if she had known he had defected, their friendship may have been restored, though not as it once was. As for James and Lily's professions... a lot of stories I've read had James as an Auror, I wanted to do something different and I also wanted Harry to know the Weasley's growing up so I figured James must have gained an interest in Muggles through Lily, so why not have him in the same department as Arthur Weasley?
The next chapter will be posted next week!
Until then,
the-writer1988
